Cable-Type Battery Segmented Coupling for Wearables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional secondary batteries with a plate-like electrode structure are inflexible and difficult to adapt to varying device shapes, limiting their use in devices that require unique form factors, such as wearable devices, due to their sensitivity to volume changes and potential differences between electrodes.

Innovation Solution

A cable-type secondary battery with a thin and long electrode assembly featuring circular, oval, or polygonal cross-section current collectors, a separator or electrolyte layer, and a length-adjustable coupling unit with grooves or protrusions for secure attachment to devices, allowing for flexible integration and secure coupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a cable-type secondary battery is made flexible and thin in shape, then adaptability to various device forms is improved, but coupling strength with the device deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to device formsVSAvoidcoupling strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The battery is divided into distinct functional segments: a flexible cable portion for adaptability and a terminal portion with rigid coupling structures for strong attachment. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its properties independently, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and coupling strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling unit incorporates adjustable length mechanisms that can dynamically adapt to different device configurations while maintaining secure coupling. The dynamic adjustment capability allows the battery to transition between flexible integration and firm attachment as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If conventional plate-like electrode structure is used, then integration density is improved, but flexibility and adaptability to different shapes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration densityVSAvoidflexibility and shape adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode structure transitions from conventional two-dimensional plate-like configuration to a three-dimensional cable-type structure with circular, oval, or polygonal cross-sections. This dimensional transformation enables the battery to maintain high integration density while achieving flexibility and adaptability to various device forms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery adopts a cable-type structure with flexible current collectors and thin electrolyte layers, replacing rigid plate-like electrodes. This flexible structure allows the battery to bend and adapt to different device shapes while maintaining sufficient electrode surface area for high integration density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If cable-type secondary battery is made long and thin, then flexibility is improved, but coupling strength with device deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidcoupling strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The battery is divided into distinct functional segments: a flexible cable portion for adaptability and a terminal portion with rigid coupling structures for strong attachment. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its properties independently, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and coupling strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling unit incorporates adjustable length mechanisms that can dynamically adapt to different device configurations while maintaining secure coupling. The dynamic adjustment capability allows the battery to transition between flexible integration and firm attachment as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2747182B1Cable type secondary battery
Publication Date: 2016.12.07 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP2747182B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2747182B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2747182B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cable-type secondary battery, includes an electrode assembly including first and second polarity electrodes with a thin and long shape, each electrode having a current collector whose cross-section perpendicular to its longitudinal direction is a circular, asymmetrical oval or polygonal shape, and an electrode active material applied onto the surface of the current collector, and a separator or an electrolyte layer interposed between the first and second polarity electrodes; and a cover member surrounding the electrode assembly, wherein the cable-type secondary battery is provided with a first polarity terminal and a second polarity terminal connected to the first polarity electrode and the second polarity electrode, respectively, at the first end of the cable-type secondary battery; a housing cap configured to fix the first and second polarity terminals and cover the first end of the cable-type secondary battery; and a length-adjustable coupling unit at a second end of the cable-type secondary battery.